1 hour ago, Angry_Pirate said:

 

So that's 30 players with Adarabioyo yet to be numbered.

We need that realistically cut by 5 or 6 players either through loans or sales in the next week.

Fisher as 3rd choice GK should be loaned as should Grayson, Butterworth and even Hart if Tony is serious about LB Downing. Smallwood definitely and maybe Samuel should be sold if possible. Leaving:

GK: Walton, Leutwiler (Hilton)

Def: Bennett, Nyambe, Lenihan, Mulgrew, Adarabioyo, Magliore, Williams, Bell, Rankin-Costello and Downing (10)

CM: Travis, Johnson, Evans, Davenport, Bennett, Buckley, Rankin-Costello and Downing (8)

W/AM: Rothwell, Dack, Armstrong, Gallagher, Downing, Chapman, Brereton,  Bennett and Rankin-Costello (9)

S: Graham, Gallagher, Brereton, Armstrong (4)

Plenty of versatility (Tony loves that) and lots of depth for injuries etc. Still dont see a promotion winning squad there though.

Get a proper CB in and maybe look to give Magliore half a season away too.

Hart will be our first choice left back. Tony has already spoken about him not going on loan. Grayson another good alternative at left back. Downing, like Bennett, are more stop gap squad players, handy because of their versatility. Butterworth also immensely talented and would like to see him stay too. 

Just now, 47er said:

Can you really see Brereton being the one up-front? A day out for the defence (opposition that is!).

Like he has when he scored 4 goals in preseason, yes. I would start him too.

Just now, Mercer said:

Different leagues but I think Nuttall will score more goals for Blackpool this season than the combined efforts of Brereton and Gallagher for Rovers.

Maybe you should support Blackpool instead then. 

Any time Graham was replaced by Nutall it became clear how important Graham was. Nutall has a poor first touch and can't hold the ball up. Young Vale is already a better player than him imo. 

But I'd say Nuttall will score 12 to 15 goals; League 1 should be a decent level for him. 

Just now, Vilesinner said:

I saw the two goals he scored last season in his last 3 games. I think he would be better suited to left back with that great left foot he has, his agility, and his bit of trickery. I know from Tony's comments he has been impressed with him.

I think Hart and Grayson are our two best prospects at left back. Williams is only a CB imo, and Bell has potential but lacks focus imo.

44 minutes ago, Sparks Rover said:

Have you actually seen Grayson or are you just guessing.?  So far away from good enough....I'd go as far as saying he's non league 

I saw the two goals he scored last season in his last 3 games. I think he would be better suited to left back with that great left foot he has, his agility, and his bit of trickery. I know from Tony's comments he has been impressed with him.

Walton,

JRC, Lenihan, Tyler M, Grayson,

Travis, Johnson

Rothwell, Dack, Armstrong

Ben B

1 hour ago, bluebruce said:

Wasn't the point he was making, he was saying we don't have pace there. We have it more than we have any other attribute in any other area of the squad.

We don't look like we intend to play a crossing game anyway.

Downing and JRC cross extremely well. 

It

Just now, Mattyblue said:

That’s exactly what you said. You said you don’t drop your club captain for a new signing as it isn’t FIFA 19.

When Mulgrew got back fit, he couldn’t get back in the side, much to the pleasure of everyone, so I don’t see why he should be a shoe in now (he will be, of course).

New signings have gone straight into sides since day dot, load of rubbish to suggest otherwise.

Managers have made poor decisions in the past too, yes indeed. But it's insane putting a young lad in there that has only just arrived. Better to play young Tyler. 

Just now, Bigdoggsteel said:

I do wonder if some posters have ever played sport at any type of competitive level if they think the best thing to do would be drop Tosin into the starting 11 Saturday. Talk about setting a young lad up to fail. 

Very true sir. It's a team sport, and centre back pairings need more time than most. 

39 minutes ago, Ewood Ace said:

As crazy as lining up with the same defence that shipped 69 goals last season?

No crazier. Hopefully Charlie has a good game and puts himself in the shop window. 

Just now, DE. said:

Very briefly checked back over previous seasons and last season was definitely an unusual one in terms of goals conceded at the top end of the table. The majority of seasons the teams at the top end did not usually conceded much above 50. Norwich going up as Champions with 57 conceded is the most in Championship history (going back to when D1 was renamed to the Championship), so highly unusual. WBA conceded 55 when they went up as champions but that was way back in the 07-08 season. 

Believe it or not Burnley conceded just 35 goals when they went up in 15/16, whilst Boro in second conceded just 31!

Burnley probably scored 34! Lol!  Maybe the league has become more attacking; definitely much more talent in it these days I reckon.

Just now, Bbrovers2288 said:

Hate to say I told you so but I told you this last week. Lot of people said I was talking nonsense tho so here is the proof 

Yeah, given their versatility, he and Bennett will be very handy substitutes. :-)

Just now, DE. said:

To be honest both Norwich and Villa conceded what I would consider above average in terms of goals last season whilst getting promoted. Norwich conceded 57 and Villa 61, whereas Stoke way down in 16th only conceded 52. Obviously scoring 93 (Norwich) and 81 (Villa) helped them overcome their defensive issues, but in comparison Wolves only conceded 39 goals when they came top in 17-18, whilst Cardiff and Fulham conceded 39 and 46 respectively. Teams in general seemed to concede a hell of a lot more goals last season. No team in the top 8 conceded above 48 goals in the 17-18 season, whilst only Sheff Utd and Middlesbrough from the top 8 managed to concede less than 50 last season.

Well said sir! We have a hell of a lot of firepower in the team, and a lot of great youngsters. I think Rovers are more than dark horses for the top 6 this year. 

5th best heading stats in the division, is fast, two footed and has excellent passing stats. Should be good for us. 

Just now, Blue blood said:

All good Rovers teams have been built from the back. Hughes first 3 signings Milena, Nelson and Sav all defensive and crucial to us staying up and building a base from.  

Souness for all our attacking talent brought in Bjornebye (so?!?) Curtis and Berg as a foundation for our promotion to the premiership. Granted we had the crown jewels of Duff, Dunn & Jansen but he still invested in the defence (and it's worth pointing out 2 of the 3 gems weren't fully established in the team.) He then ruthlessly upgraded Curtis to Neil when he could get an upgrade. 

Big Sam - key signings included Giver and pushing the boat out on Salgado. 

King Kenny - ensured we had the defensive prowess of Hendry, Berg, Kenna, Le Saux and Pierce as well as some rather handy strikers and midfielders. 

Point is good managers do not neglect the defence. TM needs to learn this. 

We won the league spending buttons on defence, true enough! :-)

Just now, Amo said:

Fighting the apathy to get back up to speed.

So we sold a promising young keeper and replaced him with a loanee?

Still haven't signed a new CB?

Oh dear.

Raya had promise but never really lived up to it. Pretty certain Walton will prove to be a better keeper. So far we have improved our attack, midfield, GK situation with Walton and Hilton, and the defence will be improved by our talented youngsters. All is good in the Ewood Hood! :-)

Being not good enough for Blackburn doesn't mean a player is without value. Better to get some money for him than to leave for free. Tony has made some cracking signings. Dack and Rothwell are especially absolutely brilliant buys. 

Tony knows when someone isn't good enough, hence the Nutt being on his way. Not much harm in loaning out Scott again; it's not like he's on a big wage. And Walton has been loaned out a lot but held in high regard. Not everyone develops the same.

Just now, JHRover said:

How many other clubs have started pre season games with a defence made up entirely of midfielders and in February had no fit CBs?

Ha ha! He was probably referencing the fact other Championship teams were getting stuffed while we remained unbeaten. The youngsters are ready, it's time to play them. Exciting times at Ewood. :-)

Great news today about Hart injury not being too severe. He and Grayson would be great left back competition imo. Will be happy if we don't sign that Man City player. He's not highly thought of by West Brom fans, and he is clearly not keen to join. So he can jog on with the other fools. Excited to see what new names come up at centre back. :-)

1 hour ago, Stuart said:

Nuttall linked with Blackpool

https://the72.co.uk/140219/blackpool-plotting-swoop-for-blackburn-rovers-striker/

I’m a fan of Nuttall but I think he should go.

He clearly won’t get a chance here. Brereton has been brought in and occupies the understudy role that Joe will feel he has earned after serving his time and performing in the U23s. Unfortunately for him, Mowbray has staked his reputation on Brereton while nobody would bat an eyelid if Nutts left. It will also be a headache cure for Mowbray if he gets shut.

Personally I wish Nuttall well and think that we wasted £7m that we now don’t have for defenders. If it was a case of use it or lose it then he should have bought two defenders. If someone stopped him from doing that and the money was only available for a striker (that we didn’t need) the Mowbray should have walked away.

I think Brereton will end up being be our first choice striker this year.

Joe Nutt will do well in league 1. But like Bell and Smallwood, that is his place imo.

Just now, briansol said:

Looks like a proper defender. Can head and likes a tackle

 

Have we been linked? Looks like what we need! 

Just now, bazza said:

Not that you'll see many youngsters on Saturday versus Charlton.?

I expect to see Buckley and JRC play some part. The U23s played at a higher level last year remember, and Damien Johnson has Tony's ear now. I expect Buckley, Butterworth, JRC, Hart and Grayson all to break through this year. :-)

2 hours ago, davulsukur said:

He might be able to play any position in the under 23's but as Nuttall shows, playing Championship level is totally different.

He needs a position nailing down if he's stepping up. Otherwise he'll be another Bennett, average everywhere or Phil Jones, just ruined entirely.

Nonsense, his skill and versatility will make him indispensable for us. All the top teams in the world have players comfortable in many positions. 

Great to see Tony giving the youngsters a chance; hopefully the fans will as well. I wouldn't swap our youngsters for any in the division. Can't wait for next week. :-)

2 hours ago, MarkBRFC said:

You say that, but they will just go back to the under 23s save for a couple of league cup games, no way will we see them in the match day 18 with the bloated squad that we have.

Magloire, Buckley & Butterworth would all benefit from a year in league one playing every week.

 

Am glad Tony doesn't listen you. Buckley, especially, is staying here. So too JRC, Hart and most likely Butterworth and Grayson. I could see Grayson doing well at left back. Exciting times at Ewood. :-)